Saturday • May 23, 2026
Event Time: 9:00pm - Midnight
Riverfront Plaza
2 W Independent Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Back by popular demand — the Jazz Jam presented by Hot 106.5 returns to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 23, 2026. One of the most electrifying specialty events of the entire weekend, this open improvisational session is where spontaneous magic happens in real time.
For years, the Jazz Jam has been the festival’s most beloved “anything goes” moment — bringing jazz legends, rising stars, and local talent together on one stage in a single, unforgettable set. Past sessions have featured icons like Horace Silver, Diana Krall, and Roy Hargrove alongside standout regional pros and promising students from UNF, JU, FSCJ, and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. That’s the beauty of it: generations of jazz, unscripted and unrepeatable.
You never know who might step up to the mic — or what kind of musical moment might unfold. Free to attend. Impossible to forget. Don’t miss it.
PRESENTED BY
Instrumentalist and Vocalist wishing to perform at the Jazz Jam
The gear provided includes a keyboard, electric bass and amp, drums, guitar amp and a full P/A. Just bring your guitar, horn, or voice, sign up to perform a jazz standard or a Blues, and join in on the fun! Audience members are encouraged to come early for a good seat.
The John Lumpkin Trio
John Lumpkin II
John Lumpkin II is a producer, arranger, and artist. He obtains a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida under the direction of Danny Gottlieb and a Master’s degree from Florida State University under the leadership of Leon Anderson. In 2009 he was also a part of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute and Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program, John grew up in the pentecostal church and still plans to exercise his gifts there as well as in other national venues. However, he says “The church is the root of my zeal for music and forever shall be”.
While carrying his talents between Japan and Switzerland, he has also internationally been a part of the Jazz at Lincoln Centers Artist in Residency Program. In 2017 Wynton Marsalis combined with the Dr. Phillips Fine Arts Center in Orlando, FL to create the Dr. Phillips Jazz Orchestra of which John was a part.
Along with his passion for the church, he is also a part of Beyond Music. Beyond Music is an online platform where artists from around the world can create music. The co-founder Tina Turner is a part of the Ambassadors for this movement and the artistic directors have been Larry Klien, Manu Katche, Michael League, and Bill Laurance.
Throughout his career, John has shared the stage with greats such as Sean Jones, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wycliff Gordon, Marcus Roberts, Arturo Sandoval, Curtis Fuller, Marcus Printup, Houston Person, Rufus Reid, Vanessa Rubin, James Moody, Nathan Davis, and David Baker. From serving on staff at the University of North Florida and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, he is also the founder of the Jazz Discovery Series, The John Lumpkin Institute, and The Covenant which extends to the community based in Jacksonville, FL. His level of expectancy drives him to see many other things emerging from his gift of music to the world.
